As parents, we’re constantly juggling a multitude of tasks, from supervising homework while plotting dinner to researching birthday party venues for one child while dealing with a pediatrician’s office about another’s ear infection. We fight for improvements to our child’s IEP and share our concerns with fellow parents about speech delays. Our capacity for caring runs deep, as we advocate for the varied and evolving needs of our children, all while losing sleep over the many worries that come with parenthood.
This reality is widely understood in the parenting community, yet it can be maddening when people fail to grasp that one can care about multiple social causes at once.
Bring up the issue of refugees, and suddenly the conversation shifts to taking care of “our own” — whatever that means. Discuss women’s health rights, and someone’s bound to shout, “What about the unborn?” Mention the wrongs of deporting undocumented children, and you might be accused of neglecting veterans, the homeless, or that hard-working Uncle Bob who still can’t afford health insurance.
Let’s put a stop to that.
Here’s a revelation: the human heart is capable of embracing more than one cause at a time. We can feel sorrow for multiple injustices and have compassion for all people, not just those within our immediate circle. Advocating for one issue doesn’t diminish our concern for others.
You can support refugees and the homeless simultaneously. You can push for humane immigration practices while advocating for quality public education. A person can champion veteran benefits and women’s rights — it’s entirely possible! It’s even feasible to care about global issues while also focusing on local concerns. Shocking, I know.
And yes, it’s absolutely possible to care about parenting issues and broader social topics at the same time. You can be knee-deep in breast pump research and sleep training while also passionately supporting intersectional feminism and immigration reform. Moms have this incredible way of being multifaceted. Surprising, right?
Engaging in Tough Conversations
Now is not the time for tiptoeing around these vital issues. We need to engage in tough conversations, educate ourselves, fund equality-supporting initiatives, protest, advocate, and repeat. We must show up consistently to assert, “This matters.” But remember, voicing what matters to you doesn’t imply that other issues are any less significant.
Resistance can take many forms, just as love can. We love our children equally, but sometimes one child may require more attention than the others. Addressing our son’s IEP doesn’t mean we neglect our daughter’s peanut allergy — just as advocating for gender equality or refugee assistance doesn’t equate to disregarding veterans or the homeless. This is an undeniable truth in parenting, yet it seems harder for some to grasp when it comes to social justice.
It Isn’t an Either-Or Scenario
It isn’t an either-or scenario. Speaking out for one cause doesn’t mean you’re indifferent to others. So please, let’s stop diminishing the efforts of those who focus on different priorities. The inability to recognize the multifaceted nature of humanity often reflects more on the critic’s own heart than the individual they’re critiquing.
If you’re interested in exploring more about home insemination, check out this post on our blog about how to get in touch for advice and support. And for a reliable source on home insemination kits, CryoBaby offers excellent options. For further insights on pregnancy and insemination, Cleveland Clinic is an invaluable resource.
In Summary
It’s imperative to recognize that activism encompasses a broad spectrum of causes. We can deeply care about various issues concurrently, just as we do with our children. Let’s embrace the complexity of our passions and support one another in our diverse journeys.